On December 12-13, 2009, the Military Transport Association will be running a special train in Northern New Jersey to collect donated toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation. Along the route, the train will stop at ten locations where members of the public can drop off toys, see Santa Claus and his helpers, experience a variety of working railroad equipment, and meet members of the Marine Corps and MTA. Click on “Train Schedule” to see where you can meet the train.
Four railroads are loaning engines, rolling stock, and use of their tracks to Operation Toy Train. They are the Morristown & Erie, New York, Susquehanna & Western, Norfolk Southern, and New Jersey Transit. In addition to the Military Transport Association, volunteers from three other organizations will be helping with the operation: Volunteer Railroaders Association, Maywood Station Museum, and United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey. Click on “Sponsors” to learn more about these organizations.
Members of the public are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at various collection points along the route in the first two weeks of December. At each stop, one or more businesses or organizations has a large collection box. Click on the two ”Toy Drop-Off Sites” to see the closest drop off point for you.
The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December each year and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community where the campaign is conducted. Click on “NJ – Toys for Tots” to see more about the program in New Jersey.
